Mokka's Mystery: Engine Stutters & Power Loss Crisis

Hey there! I had really similar issues with my 2012 Vauxhall Astra 1.4T last year. The symptoms were exactly like yours, rough idle, power loss, and that annoying jerking during acceleration. Turned out it was indeed the activated carbon filter system that was shot. Took it to my regular mechanic and they diagnosed a completely blocked carbon canister. The vapors weren't being properly filtered, which messed with the fuel system and engine performance. They had to replace the entire activated carbon filter unit and purge valve. It wasn't a super complicated fix, but it definitely needed proper diagnostic equipment to confirm the issue. My car ran smooth as butter afterward. This isn't something you want to ignore though, it can lead to bigger engine problems if left unchecked. Just as a heads up, the check engine light is a clear indicator here. The computer is picking up the emissions system fault, which matches your symptoms perfectly. I'd suggest getting it checked soon at a Vauxhall specialist.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Really good to know it was fixable and not something catastrophic with the engine itself. If you don't mind me asking, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you had any other issues pop up? Really appreciate the help!

Hey again! Happy to give you an update! Yes, I got it fixed last week and it cost me 275.00 € to replace the faulty activated carbon filter. Honestly, it was worth every penny, my Astra's running like a dream now! Zero issues since the repair, no more jerking, rough idling, or power drops. The engine's super smooth and that annoying check engine light is finally off. I'm so glad I got it sorted quickly after our initial chat. You know how these things can snowball if you leave them too long! The leak in the tank ventilation system was exactly what my mechanic found, just like I suspected. They did a thorough job and even showed me the old filter, it was completely clogged up. Trust me, once you get it fixed, you'll notice the difference right away. My car feels like new again! Let me know how you get on with yours, always interested to hear if others have the same experience.

Thanks so much for the follow-up! Just got back from the mechanic myself and wanted to share my experience. You were spot on, it was definitely the carbon filter system. My repair came in a bit higher at 320.00 €, but what a difference! The whole process was actually pretty smooth. Found a good Vauxhall specialist nearby who diagnosed it right away. They showed me the old filter too, completely gunked up! No wonder my car was acting so weird. The best part? My Mokka's running perfectly now. No more shaking, jerking, or power issues. The engine's quiet and smooth, just like it should be. Really glad I didn't put it off any longer. Thanks again for all your help and advice, definitely saved me from stressing too much about it. Sometimes it's just good to hear from someone who's been through the same thing!